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Sunday, May 30, 2010

I know this is not the best way of doing things, but for right now--it's as good as it gets. Besides--1 picture is worth 1000 words ;) Eventually, I'll get around to writing about my trip down to see my friends graduate and two of them get married.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

May 27 was the last day of school!!!! I cannot believe that I have already finished my first year of teaching. It seemed like just yesterday I was putting up bulletin boards, tearing out pages, planning my weeks...Tomorrow night will be our 'End of the Year' program....ahhh, the memories of first year teaching.

My Students

I loved teaching. There are so many things my students taught me--that teaching taught me. I am so thankful for the awesome responsibility of teaching these little ones. Summer hasn't started yet and I'm already looking forward to next year! I have so many ideas and projects that I will be doing this summer for the fall.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I love books. I love to read. When I was a kid, I used to get in trouble all the time because I would rather read than do anything else. Cold winter days would find me in my room with a blanket and good book; summer evenings you would find me sprawled under our big maple tree lost in the pages of an adventure book.

In grade school, I read the books required in our curriculum with relish. My high school teacher, Mrs. Fountain, instilled in me a love for literature—from classic authors such as Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austin to Lucy Maud Montgomery, Louisa Mae Alcott, Mark Twain, Hawthorne and many, many more.

I don’t think I have a ‘favorite’. I remember reading so many books over, and over…My mom would often say, “You’ve already read that book—you know everything that happens! Why are you reading it again!?!”. But regardless of how many times I’ve read them, there is a magnetic pull to read them again.

For me books are measured by their content, and of course, author. The Bible is our standard for everything and a good verse to use is Philippians 4:8--

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

To be able to read is such a gift from God and I am very thankful for it.

Music is another passion of mine. From classics, to hymns, to arranged music, to soundtracks, to singing—I love music. This is just a small collection of the music I own. Like books, one should be very careful in what they listen to because music is a language of its own. For example, every time I listen to Anne of Green Gables soundtrack, I get in a nostalgic mood because when I was a sophomore in college, the room captain played that every time she went on a trip. (She was part of a singing group.) Not to mention the end of the school year when we were all preparing to go home for the summer. On the other hand, when I listen to God Bless America, a patriotic feeling wells up inside me.

I also love to bake. I got my first Taste of Home book as a Christmas present. Ever since then, I have been collecting different types of cookbooks. My favorite thing to make is cookies. I have a cookie book that is falling apart from use. I also like to experiment. I’m looking for the perfect cookie—aesthetically appealing as well as scrumptious. My friends have had many laughs over how some of my cookies turn out, but I have fun all the time.

When I was young, I was banned from making cookies because I would make a mess—until I came up with a solution….my brother!! In exchange for cookies, he would help me clean up—oh, yes, I also had to let him crack the eggs J

I had thought of chronicling my travels down to Fairhaven in one blog, but realize the vast difference in the reasons of me going down there...So, I have decided to write about my recent trip for Preaching Conference. A highlight during my college days, PC has also become a week I look forward to in anticipation. It is a time for me to really focus on my walk with God and grow as a Christian, as well as being a week of seeing old friends and acquaintances.

In the days previous to PC, Crazy Lady and I were feverishly working to launder/fold/pack for our trip. Since we don't have school on Fridays, we utilized the time to get an early start. Our goal was to have everything done and packed by Sunday afternoon....we almost made it. Monday morning found us doing last minute things and packing Greenie. We started off down the road...only to stop at the church...Finally we pulled out of Kennan to start our 6..7..8..9..hour journey. We made several stops on the way, so we made pretty good timing to pull up to the hotel around 4 in the afternoon.

The teen who had come with us and I were staying in the dorm, so our next stop was at registration. Stepping out of the vehicle got me almost face to face with one of my very good friends and her family--my adoptive White Chocolate parents and siblings;) This was just the first of many encounters with friends I had not seen for almost a year. Socially, it was a great time to 'catch up' with people--although, I must say that it was also a very crazy, crazy time with hustle and bustle every where! I really did not think it was going to be like that since I didn't have the duties and responsibilities I once had in my college days!

Monday night, a group of us went out to DQ and spent several hours reminiscing about our years in college. Crazy Lady was with us and shared some of her stories from herera....

My White Chocolate sister and I asked Chef TW if we could work breakfast like the good ol' days. (This week was my absolute favorite working breakfast because it was filled with good natured banterings amongst all who worked:) Anyway, we were in there for Wednesday (just cereal so a nice ease back:) and Thursday--McFairhavens :) I had a blast working.

I was pleasantly surprised to join my friend, SUM, for tea along with my WC sister. This was a first for me and I quite enjoyed myself and have since gotten in the habit of drinking Earl Grey tea.

At Coffee Creek

The Alumni Picnic was the second I've been to. I felt like a young chicken completely out of context with all these 30 something's Preachers, wives...people who are in full time Christian service---wait..so am I! just in 'young chicken' form :) Anyway, I enjoyed talking to a diverse group of people (I did stretch my neck out and talk to more people than those I graduated with:) and especially catching up with Music Girl who graduated my freshman year. It was also a joy and encouragement to hear all the different testimonies and see it played out in their lives.

I was also able to see my fifth grade students of last year in their sixth grade glory. I enjoyed talking to many of them of what they were currently learning and such things. My sixth graders were now 'cool' junior high kids who were struck with sudden bashfulness. But I still managed to talk to most of them too.

Thursday night curfew was midnight, so a several of us planned to go to a local restaurant. That was also a great time with lots of food and lots of fun. Apart from a couple of workers, we were the only group in there. We got discounts with our appetizers and service was good--even better when they turned the radio off.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

I am not a crafty person by far. I love to read, bake, take pictures....and that's about it. I'm not big into scrapbooking, needlepoint, or any other artsy type of project.

In light of that, I want to show you this bracelet I made. It was for Lady's Bible Study project. And, it's the first project I've actually finished...This might have have been because I live with my friend, Crazy Lady, and she kept suggesting I finish it--hint, hint. So, I did. I am pretty impressed with the results, but I don't think it will join my present group of hobbies. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy making it--but it was much too tedious and next time I will just sweetly ask my friend for one :) Who, by the way, loves beading and would love to start a little side business. Crazy Lady also made the bridesmaid necklaces for my friend Reese's upcoming wedding.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Yesterday, the topic at our lunch table was what we did as kids to get out of eating a certain food. It started because one child was purposely gagging on her sandwich so she didn't have to eat it. Well, too bad for her but she will eat it even it comes out of her mouth. Anyway, that led to our discussion to what our parents did to us when we acted in similar ways.

For me it was well....what do the majority of kids not like? Yup, vegetables. But, gagging did not get us out of eating our veggies--not only did we get a good dose of Vitamin C, but also plenty of heat on our bottoms. My mom was and still is a health food addict. We ate veggies all the time. Salad, cut up broccoli and cauliflower, carrots, cabbage--anything and everything. (I won't even start on the juice kick our family went through!) If I couldn't just swallow my veggies, I came up with unique ways of getting out of eating them--I was naughty and when my mom figured out what I was up to, I had to change my methods.Our kitchen table had a ledge underneath where I would stuff handfuls of my veggies. This only worked until we needed to extend the table and my hidden, days-old veggies fell to the floor.

My siblings and I often "traded" certain types of vegetables...tomatoes for peppers...

Mom, did you know that cooked carrots are bad for you? Yup, they release toxins--oh, yes, spinach too.

On occasion I feigned a full stomach/drowsiness until lunch time was over and everyone was relaxed. Then I would come to the table only to find the salad eaten up! This only worked on Sundays.

Several times we stuffed our mouths full of vegetables only to head straight for the bathroom. One flush, and they were all gone--or so I thought. I remember one time there were remnants that did not go all the way down: I got my hide tanned and I had to eat more!

Once, I said that it would go much quicker if I just had to drink my veggies. So, my mom let me blend them together--just thinking about it gives me the hebbie-jebbies! It was sooooo gross! I only tried that one once.

I stuffed my pockets once, just until I could get to the garbage can, but alas forgot all about it. My mom found it on wash day...

Now that I'm a grown, mature adult, I realize the importance of eating my greens. I am grateful for what my mom has taught me about nutrition and for the most part, I like vegetables. I have learned my lesson of getting out of eating them, so now, I just make careful choices about what I put on my plate :)

About Me

Hello! I'm Elsa, and I'm glad you decided to visit my corner of the web :) I love baking, and I post recipes I've tried from my cookbooks, or from Pinterest {love that site!}. I also love photography and enjoy taking photos of friends/family/clients and editing them. And, sometimes, I ramble about my life :) Thanks for stopping by!